In Bihar, women script a story of empowerment

Poor, marginalised women in India lack the tools needed for economic empowerment, especially in states such as Bihar.

- Lalita Panicker

So, a project in the state that has provided crucial livelihood support to women in the form of livestock management – in this case, goats – by raising a cohort of para-veterinarians comes as a story of hope.

Small livestock is an important economic asset for small and marginal farming households, with women playing a key role in care and upkeep. The Bihar project demonstrates how this can transform women's lives through planning and skill development.

Project Mesha, implemented by the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and supported by the Gates Foundation, has made goat rearing a key pathway for women's economic and social empowerment. Studies show that when given control of finances, women not only improve their status within homes, but also have a greater say in decisions and increased power to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families.